The post-Sir Alex Ferguson era always threatened to be troublesome for Manchester United, but it’s still surprising to see just how far the Red Devils have dropped off over the past five years.
Ferguson left United as champions of England, having secured the Premier League title by 13 points at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.
But there have been very few highs for United since then, particularly in the league, even though they’ve had three different managers in the form of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and now Jose Mourinho.
The English giants have since finished seventh, fourth, fifth and sixth in the Premier League table since Ferguson retired - unacceptable by their lofty standards.
They did finish second in the league last season but were nowhere near the eventual champions Manchester City in terms of points.
After eight games of the current campaign, meanwhile, United already find themselves seven points behind league-leaders City down in eighth place.
Mourinho remains the current favourite to become the first Premier League coach to lose his job this season and it wouldn’t be a shock if the Red Devils have a new manager in the hot-seat by Christmas.
Because of how relentlessly successful Man Utd were during Ferguson’s glittering 26-year tenure at Old Trafford, the majority of football fans have revelled in the club’s recent misery.
Peter Crouch speaks honestly about current state of United
Peter Crouch always thought he would be one of them after admitting he used to watch on with envy every time they’d lift another trophy.
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“They kept on winning when I became a player and, really, it did my head in,” Crouch, who played for United’s fierce rivals Liverpool, said in his latest Daily Mail column.
“Why were they the only club who never had to experience disappointment or frustration somewhere? Why did it always seem that everything ran smoothly for them but not everyone else?
“The day when [John] O’Shea scored [v Liverpool in March 2007], I wanted them to fall off a cliff and experience the turmoil everyone else felt.”
However, the 37-year-old, who left Anfield back in 2008 and has plied his trade with Stoke City since 2011, has explained why he’s actually saddened by United’s recent plight.
“You will probably expect me to say, then, that I’m delighted to see the way things have gone for United over the last few months," Crouch admits.
"Well, actually, you would be wrong. Now the chaos has hit Old Trafford, I’ll be honest — I don’t like what I am seeing.
“Every week it seems someone is popping up with something that didn’t need saying. It feels like a game of ‘he said, she said’ and they are in the news for all the wrong reasons. This, remember, is Manchester United, the club that really should be feared all over the world.”
He adds: “I watched Gary Neville speak so passionately on Sky about this two weeks ago and what he said was right. The problems affecting United run deeper than Jose Mourinho.
“That concerns me. As much as I used to love to hate Manchester United, I loved playing against them more because the games were always so different, so intense and hard fought.
“If you beat them, you knew you had beaten the best and taking their scalp meant more. You may disagree but I think the league is stronger when United are flying.
“The aspiration for all teams should be beating them — at full strength — to trophies because it makes the achievement extra special.
“I want United to be a force. For all they wound me up, I do not want them to fade.”
Very honest stuff from Crouch, whose unexpected comments about United may well come as a surprise to Liverpool fans.
Maybe he has a point, too. Perhaps the Premier League is stronger - and, as a result, more entertaining - when United are a force.
Things have changed over the past few years - but maybe not for the better.
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